Editing Samples
I offer intensive editing services (see the samples below) to correct multiple issues such as flow and clarity when needed. I also provide basic copy editing services if your manuscript just needs a little polish to get it ready for the publication step. If you're looking for a thorough proofread, I can do that too. Contact me for a free evaluation of your project.
Self-help genre
Original author’s content (Before my Edit)
Do you know one of the responsibilities that fills my soul? It’s when I invest in someone and they’re open to being coached. I love reaching inside people and helping them see more than themselves. I enjoy stretching their thinking, expanding their vision, disrupting old patterns, pushing them outside their comfort zone, and holding them accountable for next steps. This is my work, and I love it. Do you want to know what I find less enjoyable? Being held accountable. When I’m being coached and the tables are turned, it can feel like such an annoyance! I mean the holding me to timelines I established. The pushback on ideas and feedback. I mean c’mon, don’t I know me better than you (Coach)? If so, then why when I say I need three weeks to complete a task, you come back with, “I think you can do it in 3 days.” You know what happens next, right? I get the task done in three days and my coach is proven right again, and then s(he) becomes even more strident with the advice. I mean, enough already.
My Edit (intensive level)
I’m going to talk about one of my major missions in life. It’s a big responsibility, and one that fills my soul. When I get to invest in someone, and they’re open to being coached, I can reach inside them and help them see more than themselves. I enjoy stretching their thinking, expanding their vision, disrupting old patterns, pushing them outside their comfort zone, and holding them accountable for their next steps. This is my work, and I love it. Do you want to know what I find less enjoyable? Being held accountable. When I’m being coached, and the tables are turned, it can be such an annoyance! I mean, the “holding me” to timelines I’ve established… The pushback on ideas and feedback… I mean, c’mon, don’t I know me better than you, (Coach)? If so, then why, when I say I need three weeks to complete a task, do you come back with, “I think you can do it in three days.”? You know what happens next, right? I get the task done in three days, and my coach is proven right again, and then s(he) becomes even more strident with the goal setting. I mean, enough already.
Historical fiction
Original author’s content (Before Edit)
He could hear hammering going on inside the shop. Entering, he saw Spence hunched over the back leg of a horse, trying to nail a shoe on. Spence was having trouble hitting the nail. His strength and eyesight were now shot. Lindy called out and said, “Hey Spence, I gotta couple of days off. Thought I’d drop by and give you a hand!”
Spence, frustrated, unable to grasp the hammer anymore, dropped it on the floor. Then, he let go of the horse’s leg and said, “You always knew when I needed help.”
Lindy said, “When I was in Boston two days ago, I called my Aunt Emma, letting her know I would be home today. She told me you called a couple of times. So, I came right over!”
Spence said, “It’s takin’ me an hour now even to get one shoe on.” As he laughed and said, “And that’s just the shoe on my own foot!”
Lindy smiled and looked at his watch while he took off his coat. He then rolled up the sleeves of his shirt. He had another hour before Sam and Charlie were supposed to arrive.
My Edit (intensive level)
He could hear hammering from inside the shop. Lindy walked in and immediately spied Spence hunched over the back leg of a horse, trying to nail a shoe on. The man was clearly struggling to hit the nail head. His strength and eyesight were both shot.
Lindy stood watching him for a few seconds, then called out, “Hey, Spence, I gotta couple of days off. Thought I’d drop by and give you a hand!”
Spence, frustrated, unable to grasp the hammer anymore, dropped it on the floor. Then he let go of the horse’s leg and said wearily, “You always knew when I needed help.”
“When I was in Boston two days ago, I called my Aunt Emma to let her know I would be home today,” Lindy explained. “She told me you called a couple of times. So, I came right over!”
Spence nodded, eyes on the ground. “It’s takin’ me an hour now even to get one shoe on.” Laughing, he added, “And that’s just the shoe on my own foot!”
Lindy smiled and looked at his watch while he took off his coat. He then rolled up his shirtsleeves. He had another hour before Sam and Charlie would arrive.